New Zealand bird sanctuaries
Birds have a special place in the folklore of New Zealand Maori, who believed the graceful winged creatures to be messengers from the spirit world.
New Zealanders still hold their native birds in high esteem, and have created sanctuaries and conservation reserves throughout the country where bird populations are nurtured and humans can observe the birds in their native habitat.
Many endangered birds and reptiles have been transferred to safe havens away from the mainland, like the islands of Tiritiri Matangi and Little Barrier in the Auckland region, and Kapiti, near Wellington.
Tiritiri Matangi island
Tiritiri Matangi, four kilometres off Auckland’s east coast, is one of the most successful conservation projects in the world, and provides a pest-free habitat for a number of rare and endangered species.
More than 20,000 visitors visit Tiritiri Matangi each year, most by ferry, to walk the tracks and see and hear saddleback, takahe, kokako and North Island robin.
Kapiti Island
The Kapiti Island nature reserve, five kilometres off the west coast at the bottom of the North Island, is one of the country’s most important sites for bird recovery.
Species such as the kakariki (red-crowned parakeet), robin and bellbird have increased since the eradication of rats from the 1900-hectare island. The little spotted kiwi, now extinct from the mainland forests, now also thrives on Kapiti Island.
Visitors must have a permit to land on Kapiti, and only 50 people are allowed to visit the island each day.
Ulva Island
Near Stewart Island - off the southernmost tip of the South Island - Ulva Island is an open sanctuary.
Managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), Ulva has escaped the invasion of predators, making it a perfect place for native birds to prosper.
On Ulva, visitors are likely to be greeted by an inquisitive weka and a chattering kaka, before being enchanted by the chorus of native songbirds - tui, bellbird, fantail and grey warbler.
Zealandia - Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
Mainland sanctuaries are also being set up to protect native species.
Minutes away from the centre of New Zealand's bustling capital city of Wellington, is a community-run safe haven known as Zealandia - the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.
A predator-proof fence encircles the 8km sanctuary perimeter, protecting the wildlife and ensuring the forest regenerates to its former glory. The philosophy behind the sanctuary is to allow humans to experience and learn from the precious natural heritage.
Visitors can return to Zealandia at night for a nocturnal tour to hear the call of the ruru or morepork - New Zealand's native owl - or spot a kiwi probing through the leaf litter with its trademark long beak.
Pukaka Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre
The Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, in the Wairarapa - north of Wellington - pioneered captive breeding techniques for some of the New Zealand’s most threatened birds.
Kiwi Encounter
At Rotorua's Kiwi Encounter, visitors can see conservation in action as kiwi are hatched and nurtured before being released into the wild as mature birds. A kiwi chick’s chance of survival increases from five to almost 70 percent if it is hatched in captivity.
But New Zealand’s unique wildlife isn’t just found in sanctuaries. Birds are a part of the landscape, seen and heard virtually anywhere in New Zealand - even in the cities, where tui warble from kowhai trees in suburban backyards, and kereru swoop across the skies.
More information:
Iconic New Zealand birds
Zealandia - the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
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